Royal Ascot Day 5 Preview
Credit: Georgia Young Photography
The fifth and final day of the Royal Ascot carnival promises a thrilling conclusion, especially for Australian racing fans. Sprinting queen Joliestar and the ultra-consistent Overpass prepare to take on the world in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. The European contingent faces a formidable dual-pronged attack, not just from Down Under, but also from Japanese powerhouse speedsters Satono Reve and Lugal.
Elsewhere on a stellar card, the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes boasts a field worthy of Group 1 status. A host of high-profile stars are set to collide, featuring 2025 Breeders’ Cup Turf champion Ethical Diamond, Juddmonte’s elite filly Kalpana, globetrotting heavyweight Goliath, and the reliable Giavellotto. Adding further intrigue to the middle-distance feature is a potent pair from the Aidan O’Brien yard: Jan Brueghel and 2025 Derby victor Lambourn.
Race 3: Queen Elizabeth ll Jubilee Stakes (Group 1)
Distance: 6 furlongs (1207m) | Conditions: 4yo+ | Post Time: 12:40am AEST
Joliestar has indisputably established herself as Australia’s premier sprinter this season. She boarded the plane to Royal Ascot boasting a flawless three-from-three preparation, a campaign punctuated by two Group 1 triumphs,most notably the TJ Smith Stakes. Reports from the stable indicate she has settled in beautifully trackside and looks primed to explode on the world stage.
She will be joined by fellow Aussie Overpass, who is on the quick back up from Day 1 of the Royal Ascot Carnival after running third in the King Charles Stakes. While Australia is known for their sprinting prowess, Australia has not won this race since the legendary Black Caviar did in 2012.
The primary threat to an Australian victory appears to be Japan’s Satono Reve, a sprinter with an imposing CV. He arrives with arguably the strongest form lines in global racing, having twice finished a narrow runner-up to the world's top-rated speedster, Ka Ying Rising. Two starts back he captured Japan’s premier sprint, the Takamatsunomiyakinen, in spectacular fashion. He is no stranger to Royal Ascot either, having been agonizingly denied by Lazzat in this very race last year. His compatriot, Lugal, may visually sit a tier below Satono Reve on domestic form, but a recent placing in the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night proves he has the credentials to hit the frame.
With light rain forecast for the final day, a dampening surface should play into the hands of the Australian duo rather than their Japanese counter-parts. Both Joliestar and Overpass thrive on good-to-soft ground, but would be severely compromised by a true heavy surface.
Selections:
#17 Joliestar
#14 Satono Reve
#9 Lugal
#3 Comanche Brave
Race 2: Hardewick Stakes (Group 2)
Distance: 1 mile 4 furlongs (2406m) | Conditions: 4yo+ | Post Time: 12:05am AEST
The Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes offers arguably the deepest quality of the afternoon. The brilliant Kalpana heads the betting markets, having gone toe-to-toe with the world's elite last season. She produced a magnificent performance to finish second to Calandagan in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, notably leaving world-beater Rebel’s Romance and Jan Brueghel safely in her wake. She caught the eye in her seasonal reappearance, grinding out a victory over West Wind Blows in the Aston Park Stakes. Entitled to strip much fitter second-up, she looks the one they all have to beat.
Ethical Diamond stunned the racing world last November when capturing the Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf at a massive $21.00. However, his sole public appearance since that global triumph was a disappointing, distant second-to-last behind Calandagan in the Dubai Sheema Classic. In a field of this depth, the Irish raider must rediscover his Breeder’s Cup Turf magic to pose a threat.
The Francis-Henri Graffard-trained Goliath continues his extraordinary world tour, with this assignment marking his fifth consecutive start in a different country. He failed to fire in the Breeders’ Cup Turf but quickly bounced back when third in the Hong Kong Vase behind Sosie and Giavellotto. He subsequently reversed that form with Giavellotto in Doha, but was defeated by Deep Monster. A comfortable two-length victory last time out at Chantilly suggests the gelding is back to his brilliant best and he loves the unique contours of Ascot, having never finished outside the top two here.
Jan Brueghel spearheads the Aidan O’Brien assault. An incredibly consistent colt, he has only missed a top-two finish once in his career when a close fourth in that star-studded King George. While he looked sharp when winning the Ormonde Stakes by 2.5 lengths first-up, he was subsequently well held by Bay City Roller in the Coronation Cup on Epsom Derby day. He boasts the highest official rating in the field but will need to be at his peak to lower the colors of Kalpana.
The ultimate bridesmaid, West Wind Blows, enters the race having finished runner-up in his last four consecutive outings behind the likes of Kalpana, Calandagan, Royal Power, and Best Secret. While he continually finds one too good on the day, his honesty cannot be questioned, making him a mandatory inclusion for all exotic bets.
Selections:
#11 Kalpana
#6 Jan Brueghel
#10 West Wind Blows
#5 Goliath
James McDonald has a booking of five rides for Day 5, headlined by his regular partnership with Joliestar and champion trainer Chris Waller. Josh Parr’s sole ride is aboard Overpass.
